Coca-Cola soft drink

Brand origin and history

Coca‑Cola originated in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The formula was created by John S. Pemberton and first sold in 1886; the brand and business were later developed and expanded commercially by Asa Candler and the company that became The Coca‑Cola Company.

Manufacturing and distribution model

Coca‑Cola is manufactured in multiple countries through a global franchise system. The Coca‑Cola Company produces and sells concentrate and syrup; independent regional bottlers purchase the concentrate, manufacture the finished beverage, bottle it, and handle local distribution. Because bottling and packaging occur in many regional plants worldwide, Coca‑Cola is produced in multiple countries rather than a single nation of manufacture.

Ownership and corporate structure

The ultimate owner of the Coca‑Cola brand is The Coca‑Cola Company, a publicly traded multinational corporation headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The company owns the brand and the concentrate formula, while a network of large regional bottling companies and many local bottlers operate as franchisees or subsidiaries to produce, bottle, and distribute the finished products in their territories.